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Working at KI

xXDrummerKiDXx

Posted 20 February 2012 - 11:43 PM

xXDrummerKiDXx

KIC Expert

Members

741 posts

Hey guys,
So I'm soon to be 15 years of age (March 21st) and I filled out an application and I hope to get a chance to go in for an interview. I filled out the application Saturday morning and i have a few questions
1. How long will it take until I am informed that I have an interview if I have one?
2. IF I do get an interview, What kind of questions will they ask? (Remember Im 15)
3. What does a character escort do?
4. Will there be any other jobs I can do there if I get the job?

xXDrummerKiDXx

Posted 20 February 2012 - 11:43 PM

DeLorean Rider

Posted 21 February 2012 - 12:39 AM

DeLorean Rider

1.21 GIGAWATTS!!!

Members

1,895 posts

When I worked there in the early and mid 2000s, if you were 15 you could work games, admissions, and a few positions in food but that was it. I'm not sure if that has changed. Also when I was 15, they weren't taking many 15 year olds because there aren't many jobs for them, and they can all be done by anyone older than 15. Plus managing 15 year olds is a pain because of all the excessive labor laws and restrictions to what you can and cannot be exposed to. No joke, when I was 15 I was not allowed to use a highlighter at work because it was considered an unsafe chemical. Such a pain because our time cards had to be highlighted every week and someone else had to do it for me.

Still if they are looking for 15 year olds when you interview, just about all you really need is a good attitude and a pulse. They wont expect you to really have work experience. They'll likely just ask you some questions about your character, may ask how you'd handle a situation or two, and try to make sure you're not crazy. (and even if you are theres still a good chance you'll get hired) Dont go crazy on the attire. I've seen people dress in suits and for a summer job at an amusement park, that's excessive. I would say nice pants with a long sleeve button down and MAYBE a tie at most. Even then you'll probably be better dressed than the person interviewing you. Best of luck!

xXDrummerKiDXx

Posted 21 February 2012 - 12:54 AM

xXDrummerKiDXx

KIC Expert

Members

741 posts

Thank you so much. Kings Island has been a HUGE impact on my life. 3 years ago I met my best friend, and now she's been my girlfriend for 2 years. So many memories. It would be an HONER (believe it or not) to work there, I only live 15 minutes away

DeLorean Rider

Posted 21 February 2012 - 02:33 AM

DeLorean Rider

1.21 GIGAWATTS!!!

Members

1,895 posts

Thank you so much. Kings Island has been a HUGE impact on my life. 3 years ago I met my best friend, and now she's been my girlfriend for 2 years. So many memories. It would be an HONER (believe it or not) to work there, I only live 15 minutes away

A what? You mean an honor?

Also your best bet for getting hired is to go to the job fairs. That's where most of the new hiring is done. Don't expect an application in the mail or online to be enough. If you want it you need to be proactive.

Oldiesmann

Posted 21 February 2012 - 02:56 AM

Oldiesmann

KIC Superstar

Members

4,333 posts

In regards to what character escorts do, this is something the park can best explain. However, the title is self-explanatory. They're the people who escort costumed characters around the park. I don't know what they do exactly beyond that, but I would assume it would include things such as ensuring the safety of whoever's in the costume and engaging the guests to make the experience more memorable.

CedarPointer

Posted 21 February 2012 - 01:56 PM

CedarPointer

KIC Legend

Members

5,360 posts

Hey guys,So I'm soon to be 15 years of age (March 21st) and I filled out an application and I hope to get a chance to go in for an interview. I filled out the application Saturday morning and i have a few questions1. How long will it take until I am informed that I have an interview if I have one?2. IF I do get an interview, What kind of questions will they ask? (Remember Im 15)3. What does a character escort do?4. Will there be any other jobs I can do there if I get the job?

1. They'll email you if they are interested in interviewing. It depends on which departments you applied for.2. They'll ask you questions about being part of a team, what you would bring to the team, etc. It's not a hard interview as long as you seem excited about the job and don't say anything really bad.3. I believe it involves leading the characters around so they're not tripping over children.4. That's available on the KI website: http://www.visitking...obs/summer-jobs

medford

Posted 21 February 2012 - 03:09 PM

medford

KIC Star Member

Members

1,139 posts

I never worked at KI, nor interviewed there, but some things I think would be helpful.

Have you ever worked anywhere before, doing anything? babysitting, lawn mowing, dummy end of a tape measure for a neighbor building a deck? They won't expect you to have any experience at that age, but if you've done any sort of work on a regular basis, but together a short resume and a list of references to hand over at interview time. I doubt they'd check your references, but make sure they're real just in case. I would think handing over 1 sheet w/ some work experience and a list of people to contact (be sure to ask these people prior to putting their name down for permission) would give you a leg up. Clubs at school or outside of school that might show commitment? Add those as well.

Call KI and see if there is someone you can talk to about a summer job and a couple of questions (many on your list now are good ones, but add a few more so you give the person you're talking to a reason to remember you) Add follow up questions to their answers. Ask them if they'll be at the job fair and if you can meet with them personally for a moment or two. If you're looking at a stack of applications, there is likely little that would make your application stand out from the thousands of other application (don't take it personally, few 15 year olds have a developed resume) but getting face time and ear time with someone that they'll remember you personally will go a long way towards moving you to the top. See if there is anyone on this site who has mentioned working at Ki last year and attempt to contact them. They might have a name or two they can put you in touch with that can put you thru to the right people.

At 15, they're not going to give you any big responsibilities. They mostly want to feel comfortable that you'll show up on time, every time and are competant enough that you can handle the responsibilities of your job with ease.

xXDrummerKiDXx

Posted 23 February 2012 - 05:48 PM

xXDrummerKiDXx

KIC Expert

Members

741 posts

Interviews usually start mid March, (even though they say February). So just give it time, if you go to https://jobs.cedarfa...sland/index.cfm put your email address and password in, it'll tell you where your application is in the process

Guest_thekidwholives_*

Posted 24 February 2012 - 05:40 AM

MarketingExpress

Posted 24 February 2012 - 08:40 AM

MarketingExpress

KIC Star Member

Members

1,353 posts

^16 to work in rides

3. What does a character escort do?

Each character escort is assigned to a character. The character suits are big and bulky making it very difficult for the person inside to see and hear. You will esentially be their eyes and ears when they are out in the view of the public and behind the scenes you will help them get into and out of the costume. It used to be that you could also be used for various other jobs within the entertainment department when your character is not out in the park but that may have changed a bit in the past few years.

You could always ask your interviewer more specifics at your interview.

MarketingExpress

Posted 24 February 2012 - 09:01 AM

MarketingExpress

KIC Star Member

Members

1,353 posts

Oh and a few pointers from "the toughest interviewer"
-Firm handshake & eye contact are key - I could pretty much tell if I was going to hire someone based on their handshake and if they made eye contact with me while shaking my hand before any questions were asked
-SMILE - You're interviewing for a job at an amusement park
-Be interactive - Don't just give 1 word answers, give examples when you have them, tell appropriate stories to back up a statement, it will make you more comfortable
-Dress to impress - First impressions are everything and this is the first thing the HR staff is going to see when you walk through their doors. This is also another key thing I looked at/for during the handshake. I'm not saying a 3 piece suit is necessary, but business casual at the very least.

Posted 24 February 2012 - 07:14 PM

OhioCutie

Posted 26 February 2012 - 02:25 PM

OhioCutie

KIC Tourist

Members

7 posts

I applied last week - and received an email for an interview a days later. My interview isn't until the second week of March though - but I'm very excited. I've worked in Recreation before (Hamilton County Parks) and loved it.

I'm currently a full-time nursing student - and am happy to get the opportunity to interview for a position. I worked three years in the medical field as a Medical Assistant before returning to school full-time for my 2nd degree - so it will be odd to be interviewing for a non-medical position!